Rephonic
Artwork for Word In Your Ear
Bob Dylan
Annie Nightingale
Paul Mccartney
Mental Health
The Beatles
Noel Coward
Jim Gordon
Voyager One
Tom Hibbert
Teddy Boys
Steve Wright
Madonna
Pink Floyd
University Challenge
Liam Gallagher
John Squire
Joni Mitchell
Rod Stewart
Gospel Music
You Can't Always Get What You Want

Mark Ellen and David Hepworth have been talking about and writing about music together and individually for a collective eighty years in magazines like Smash Hits, Mojo and The Word and on radio and TV programmes like "Rock On", "Whistle Test" and VH-1.

Over thirteen years ago, when working on the late magazine The Word, they began producing podcasts. Some listeners have been kind enough to say th... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes932Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Music CommentaryMusic HistoryMusic

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Artwork for Word In Your Ear

Latest Episodes

Neil Tennant co-wrote a musical at Primary School and soon decided that “learning other people’s songs was hard work compared with making up your own”. He’s chosen some from the Pet Shop Boys’ 40-year catalogue, hits and obscurities, in ‘One Hundred ... more

At the age of four, Steve Nieve drew pictures of piano keys and pretended to play them. He joined Elvis Costello & the Attractions when he was 19, the start of a life that involves having to find a flight case for a Steinway Grand. He talks to us her... more

Watering the scented hedgerows of news to see if any green shoots appear. And they do, in the form of …

… the most effective protest song ever written

… the commendable box-ticking life of Country Joe McDonald

… the Timothée Chalamet ding-dong:... more

Pointing the scanner of inquiry at the baggage carousel of news to see what gets the lights flashing, which this week includes …

… we know what’s making Morrissey miserable

… bands that can get a whole stadium singing

… the rock star who misses... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Adrian Ainsworth
Birthday guest on the episode
Episode: Shaun & Bez and other Odd Couples we love
Andrew Sandoval
Author/Co-author of The Kinks, All Day and All of the Night, The Day by Day Story
Beatland Books (publisher)
Episode: The Kinks’ chaotic ascent mapped out day-by-day is ‘a nirvana for any fan’
Samira Ahmed
Journalist and author of a detailed book on A Hard Day's Night and the Beatles in film
Media / Journalism
Episode: How A Hard Day’s Night ripped up the pop movie rulebook
Jim Windolf
Author of the book Where The Music Had To Go: How Bob Dylan and the Beatles Changed Each Other and Changed the World
Author
Episode: Bob Dylan and the Beatles, a tale of envy, affection and intense rivalry
Keith Adsley
Loyal supporter of Word In Your Ear and a guest on the episode
Episode: There are only three Rock National Treasures – and we name them!
Matt Thorne
Author and music commentator focusing on collaborations in pop and rock history
Episode: Keith & Chuck, Bowie & Tina, Frank & Elvis and what we learnt from rock’s joint ventures
Paul Rees
Author of Raised On Radio, Power Ballads, Cocaine & Payola, The AOR Glory Years
Episode: Boston, Def Leppard, bad hair & the golden age of rock radio
Keith Jopling
Author of Body Of Work, exploring the significance of music albums
Episode: How the album survived and why it satisfies the soul!
Paul Higham
Loyal supporter and contributor to the discussion
Episode: Racy pulp paperbacks, teenage Joni and the BRIT School versus the age of the amateurs

Hosts

Mark Ellen
Host with long-standing experience in music journalism and broadcasting, often co-host in conversation-driven format.
David Hepworth
Co-host with decades of music journalism and publishing experience, known for insightful cultural critique.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 783 ratings
  • Word Up ⬆️

    Mark and David’s discussions are excellent company. They haven’t lost their passion for music, culture and music culture history and I find these podcasts are full of endless insights, ideas, and anecdotes.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    colm_
    Irelanda month ago
  • Extraordinary

    Gentle, informed, knowingly provocative sometimes - like being down the pub with two knowledgeable mates. The only podcast I have ever or probably will ever pay ready money for! Just listen.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Dion wrote this
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • Please give us a break with the ads

    I used to really enjoy this show but I find the incessant ads these days intolerable so have basically stopped listening. I think it’s a morbid symptom of letting Acast run your ads - they are not worried about alienating any given show’s audience by choking the content with relentless commercial breaks

    Shame

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    splinno
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • Love this podcast

    Excellent

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BobBsing
    Singapore2 months ago
  • Still brilliant

    Obeying orders here and leaving a glowing review! Thank you for the ongoing commentary and conversation.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    studdedglove
    United Kingdom2 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The pair combine warmth with sharp opinions, making long listens feel like catching up with music-savvy friends.
Hosts are deeply knowledgeable and create engaging, discussion-rich episodes.
Ads can feel intrusive to some listeners, affecting the enjoyment of certain episodes.
Guests bring strong expertise and varied perspectives, keeping the conversations fresh.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Kinks’ chaotic ascent mapped out day-by-day is ‘a nirvana for any fan’
Q: What's the fascination with The Kinks, and why this day-by-day approach to their history?
Andrew Sandoval explains that The Kinks' uniqueness lies in Ray Davies's singular songwriting and the band's distinctive development, which required meticulous archival work to capture day-by-day moments that reveal both the music and the industry context surrounding those records.
There are only three Rock National Treasures – and we name them!
Q: What did you think of the results of the music quiz about magazine titles?
Keith Adsley humorously highlights how challenging it is to identify real magazines from imaginative titles.
There are only three Rock National Treasures – and we name them!
Q: Do you think Elton John really is part of it?
No, he tends to be tense and dull and doesn't quite resonate as a national treasure.
The Skids, Big Country and the unsettling story of Stuart Adamson
Q: Tell us about the impact of Adamson's upbringing on his life and career.
His upbringing in an abusive household likely contributed to the challenges he faced later in life, affecting his mental health and relationship with fame.
The Skids, Big Country and the unsettling story of Stuart Adamson
Q: What is the story of Stuart Adamson that you want to highlight?
The mystery of how a charismatic and talented musician could end his life despite his success, and how complex factors, including his upbringing and the music industry, contributed to his struggles.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Word In Your Ear

What is Word In Your Ear about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Two veteran music journalists host long-form conversations that thread through music history, archival discovery, and the cultural impact of artists and scenes. Across episodes, the show often digs into rock history, influential albums, and the dynamics of collaborations, with a mix of deep-dive guests, archival anecdotes, and thoughtful critique. It's likely to appeal to listeners who love music history, journalism, and long-form discussion, with a distinct charm from seasoned hosts who blend friendly banter with well-researched context. A standout feature is the emphasis on archival research, first-hand industry perspectives, and a recurring interest in the stories behind famous records and artists, making it a strong choice for fans of i... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Word In Your Ear?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Word In Your Ear:

1. Rockonteurs with Gary Kemp and Guy Pratt
2. Full Disclosure with James O'Brien
3. The Rest Is Entertainment
4. Talk ’90s to me
5. Kermode & Mayo’s Take

How many episodes of Word In Your Ear are there?

Word In Your Ear launched 5 years ago and published 932 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Word In Your Ear?

Recent guests on Word In Your Ear include:

1. Adrian Ainsworth
2. Andrew Sandoval
3. Samira Ahmed
4. Jim Windolf
5. Keith Adsley
6. Matt Thorne
7. Paul Rees
8. Keith Jopling

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